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Sunday, 12 July 2015

It's been a very long time since I've even logged into my blogger account, and as most bloggers do, I feel I should briefly explain why - and 70% off my excuse is pure laziness. These last few months have seen mock exams, GCSE exams, controlled assessments, my birthday (I can finally say I'm 16), the start of my summer holiday and my first job. I'm not sure how I feel about it all;I've grown up more in these last 3 months than I have at any other point in my life - I've even caught a train by myself, shock horror. I've checked my stats which are looking pretty dire, and I'm not sure whether this post will mark the start of blogging again for me, or the end of it all together - I just don't know. I'm constantly thinking about this blog and how I suddenly abandoned it, yet there is nothing propelling me to get it up and running again. I don't want this space to be like anyone else's, but with so many people taking to the internet to voice their thoughts nowadays, it can be pretty difficult. If I decide to start writing again, I'd like my posts to be more REAL, instead of just materialistic things. Voicing my opinion via a blog post has always been something I've done, but never ever published. If you could all see my drafts you'd be shocked at how much never made it online.

I've also considered a new blog altogether, which I don't have a name nor a theme for. I just know I want it to be original. I've contemplated simply changing the URL and name of this blog, but I've always thought if I change the direction of my blog then my readers will become disengaged and uninterested. Blogging has become such a professional environment in these past few years, and I kind of miss my excitement when I would post a blurry picture of my half done manicure and joyfully describe it to my 3 readers. I don't know... what do you think?

Monday, 2 February 2015

Before, I've done a 5 product face, but this time I thought I'd revisit it, with a little extra product knowledge. I don't think my choices have changed drastically, as there's still the basic outline of cheek and base products with mascara. For this really simple yet polished natural look, I started by applying the Dr Jart Waterfuse BB Cream. I've had this for the longest time, and it never fails to impress me. If you're looking for a high coverage product, this won't be for you, but I love the sheer glow it gives to the skin. For concealer, I doubled up, which meant I couldn't afford to include a brow product, but flawless skin is always important to me. I had to include the Bobbi Brown Tinted Eye Brightener for the under eyes, and the Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer for elsewhere blemishes. I probably should have chosen a concealer that compromises in both luminosity and coverage really. Then, I include the Nars cheek duo in Laguna and Orgasm. Two of my favourite products in one nifty pan. The bronzer is beautiful, and the blush provided a little glow for my cheeks without being overpowering. I would have preferred to use Milani Luminoso, but of course, then it wouldn't have been 5 products. I cheated a little with brows and simply brushed them with a spoolie, because I'm quite lucky in the fact that my brows are rather low maintenance. Then to complete, a curl of my lashes and a couple of coats of Maybelline The Falsies Waterproof.

Monday, 26 January 2015

Generally when I paint my nails, a nude or a deep colour is what I reach for. Gone are the days when I'd slather on some neon pink nail enamel on my stubby tips - I like to keep it classy (although I can't deny a good bright colour in the summer). I'm always on the hunt for variations of skin tone to try, but I've narrowed this edit down to five nudes you need, from my quest so far.

The first is the Balmain Nail Couture in Nude*. This is the perfect balance between grey, beige and pink, and is quite pale compared to the rest. It's so beautiful, from the formula to the bottle, and Balmain is a brand I'm always oogling fashion wise as well. At £14.95, yes it is pricey, but the luxe feel and gorgeous colour is so worth it.

Secondly, is the cheapest Rimmel Lets Get Nude 60 Second Nail Polish. From the Rita Ora collection, this was a complete impulse buy a good few months ago. I've done a NOTD on this before, and the love is still going strong for this shade - a sheer, camel nude that looks so classy and fresh on the nails. It's great for school as well if you aren't allowed to wear bright colours, as it is really subtle but can also be built up in 3 coats to a semi-opaque shade.

Thirdly, And Other Stories Orchid Mauve. This might be bending the rules of 'nude' a little, as it's more of a pale lilac pink, but I wear it as often as the rest of my neutral colours, so therefore I thinkit deserves a spot here. It's a mauve based nude, that is a little darker, but still really beautiful on the nail. The formula is thick and opaque within 2 coats, and they're £5 a bottle.

Next we have Nails Inc Porchester Square - ah, the blogger classic. I purchased this in a Madrid Sephora in the summer, and it's always a shade I go back to if I'm feeling stumped about what to use (having 250+ bottles of nail polish does have its disadvantages). It's a more lilac/beige nude, that is unbelievably glossy and the formula has to be the best out of all five.

Lastly, OPI Did You 'Ear About Van Gogh. I must have had this for at least 2 years now, yet I definitely have not fallen out of love with it. I'd say its my favourite, being a dull, paler nude that suits my skin tone perfectly. I just love it.

After the wonderful response of last week's FOTD, I thought I'd present to you another. I absolutely love the making and writing of them, and it appears you like reading them. This Sunday was one for shopping, so I chose to do a rather autumnal makeup look which may be a few months too ate on the bandwagon, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. The lips I especially loved, as actually used a dark gloss and surprisingly, it looked good, and there wasn't any wind in hair moments - perfection.

Monday, 19 January 2015

In Primark the other day, I noticed the influx of sunglasses appearing in store. Normally it's a section I totally bypass, but this time I felt particularly in a sunglasses mood. For a combined total of £3.50, I picked up two pairs. The first is a thick rimmed black oversized pair, that I never thought would actually suit me - but I don't think they look too bad, do they? They were only £1.50, and I thought they'd go with everything, hence why the ended up in my basket. I just love how statement they are, and I think with a low ponytail and roll neck, they'd look incredible. Secondly, some Ray Ban Wayfarer-esque shades. I bought some so similar from H&M, which you can see in a previous post, but they're literally nowhere to be found. I don't know if I managed to lose them in London, or whether they're lingering in the depths of an overspilling draw, but either way I needed to quench my thirst for these beauties.. These were £2, compared to the £5.99 I paid in H&M, but they're still incredibly budget friendly and stylish. They do look a little cheap, but I'm sure I can make them work until my beloved old pair are reunited with my face.

Sunday, 18 January 2015

The post of this title is a bit odd, I know, because I didn't want to just title this post 'Maybelline Emerald Excess' - this nail polish is one of the only ones I've applied, then reapplied. Woah, shock horror. It's not often at all I do that, as normally I get easily bored of a shade and don't touch it for months after I've taken it off. Emerald Excess is a deep green crème polish (the sticker on the bottle makes it appear teal - look on to the outline of the bottle in the last picture, you'll see the real shade), that looks so unique, and really classy. It looks black in some lights, but it a nice alternative to it. I did a post previously on a Nails Inc shade similar, and this is even better as it is such a budget option, and the formula is great as well - 2 easy coats that dry quickly. (The picture is 4 days wear without top coat, so I do excuse the slight mess of a picture.)

It seems I can't get enough of these dark green shades, is there a nail polish you're absolutely besotted with?

Wednesday, 14 January 2015

It might just be my annoyingly dry skin, but during winter time it seems to go absolutely awol - and leave me with flaky patches, sore sections and a very dull complexion in general. About a week ago (come on, I know you sang that) my skin got to the worse it has ever been, with my forehead becoming inflamed, dry, and really sore, around my eyes as well. Therefore, I called an emergency trip to Boots, in order to purchase some products that would save my skin from death by dryness. They've worked their way into my daily routine, and for once, I'd say I'm happy with the little selection of products I'm putting to use every morning and night.

Morning - Generally, my morning routine goes a little like this - I do a single cleanse with either the Boots Botanics Micellar Water, or The Body Shop Cleansing Oil, depending on whether I feel like a deeper clean or a once over sweep with a cotton pad. I rinse whatever I use off with a flannel, for a bit of gentle exfoliation, and then apply some of the Boots Botanics Skin Relief Ultra Calm Serum. I find this so effective at quite literally, calming my once inflamed skin and insuring the deadly dry patches do not reoccur. This goes around my eyes, cheeks and forehead. If I feel like it, I also pop on some of the Esteé Lauder Perfectionist Wrinkle Lifting Serum just around my eyes, as I know I'm very young for an anti-aging product, so I find it wasteful to apply all over. Then, on goes the Ultra Calm Night Moisturiser - I tend to use this over a day moisturiser as generally, night variations are thicker and I find, more hydrating.

Night - In the evening, I usually aim to remove my makeup as soon as I get in from school, as I don't see the point of keeping it on my face if I'm not going anywhere and am lounging around. To do so, I do a quick first cleanse with the Boots Botanics Micellar Water, the most gentle micellar water I've found. It takes off waterproof mascara for the most part, but I feel like I do really need the help of the Body Shop Camomile Cleansing Oil. I've been through 3 of these now, and I find them absolutely perfect - I'm hesitant to use anything else because it is so effective. One pump does the job, and I massage this into the skin for a few minutes, which is both relaxing and cleansing at the same time. I ensure to use a flannel to wash it off with cool water, and use gentle circular motions for exfoliation as well. Then comes the moisturising and serum application, which is exactly the same as the morning. The only difference is that I sometimes go for an extra serum on top right before I go to sleep, which isn't pictured - the Dr Lewinns Miracle Radiance Serum. I haven't been using it long, but from immediate results it provides a glow I really like come morning.

For a little skin treat every Sunday, I apply the Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask. I absolutely love this and have been using it for a year now, and although I never get the same results as the first time I used it, I still apply it weekly for radiant pick me up. It also smells amazing, which never goes a miss.

Do you use any of these products in your skincare routine? Anything you'd recommend for dry/dull skin?

After purchasing a camera remote not too long ago, I thought I'd have a go at my second ever #FOTD post. Using a camera remote made everything so easy, that hopefully you'll see more of these types of posts in the future.

I don't really know what I was going for here, but it ended up a rather glowy, peachy/bronze look. They eyes I especially liked, as I used Laguna in the crease and it really did provide warmth as well as some sculpting of the eye area. I'm also super impressed with the Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation, it provided a medium coverage and I'm so surprised that the colour didn't look too bad, as I think a lot of people struggle choosing between Light Porcelain and Ivory. Overall, I quite like how my makeup turned out. The eyes I will definitely be doing more often.

Thursday, 8 January 2015

For us British, NYX was a brand that was rather hard to come across in the UK. I'd always hear our American counterparts raving of various products, but never did I expect to be able to own any, as up until about a year ago they were very much a USA exclusivity - although I could be wrong. Anyway, in the Next sale, I saw my local stand was completely discounted from top to bottom. Setting spray for £3, illuminators for £3, blushes for £2, lipsticks galore... so it was rather unsurprising that I've managed to make a bit of a collection out of the products I've gained since Boxing Day. (Which I think now includes 8 Jumbo Eye Pencils, 5 Butter Glosses, 2 Lipsticks, 1 illuminator and 1 setting spray - wow, that sounds excessive in a list).

The three Butter Glosses I have to share today were my first purhases, and consist of Créme Brulee, a pale pink, Tiramisu, the perfect pinky nude, and Peach Cobbler, a searingly bright peach. Normally, lip glosses are not to my taste, mainly because of the bloody typical wind in hair situation that ALWAYS happens. Although this variety is no different in terms of barnet-to-gloss stickiness, they're absolutely amazing. Somehow, they're remotely longwearing (around 3 hours), and provide a buildable pigmentation, as well as buttery (as the name suggests) texture that is neither too slippery or too thick. Tiramisu is certainly my favourite, as it is the exact same shade as my lips, but with shine of course. Since I've owned these, they've been part of every lip combination to date, and I'm enjoying them so much so, I've gone and purchased two more in Angel Food Cake and Red Velvet. Oh, and I forgot to mention - I paid £2 each for these. Nope, your eyes are not deceiving you - £2 is what that just said; so I suppose buying 5 isn't too detrimental.

Have you tried any NYX products before? Anything I should hunt down from the line?

Friday, 2 January 2015

Whether you love or loathe the January sales, its rather undeniable that you can actually find some brilliant things with a keen eye and a little bit of Christmas money. Our family never go too far on Boxing Day, so a little trip down to the local shopping centre was really all I needed to make a dent in my purse - although with this incredible piece, it was hardly going to make me bankrupt.

In H&M, one of my favourite stores, I purchased this longline grey coat, for £15. At full price it was only £24.99, and even then I was going to buy it. I'm not sure what kind of coat style it is (if you know, please leave a comment and I'll update with the correct name), but it is a longline, dark grey coat with one set of buttons and a massive collar. I've never had a big coat before, usually sticking to the standard, small jackets, but I'm starting to question why I didn't purchase this earlier in the season. For shopping or dog walking or general errands it is so perfect to literally 'throw on' over anything, and it feels like a massive blanket on your upper body. For £15, I didn't expect much warmth, but it is surprisingly cosy as well. It's all I could ever want in a piece of outerwear, and I cannot see myself wearing any of my other coats for the rest of winter - I'm too obsessed with this one